Skillful Angler Program

For 35 years the Division of Fish and Wildlife has been recognizing the talents of New Jersey anglers who catch fish of "not quite record" size, but large enough to have tested the angler's skill and be worthy of recognition. The program also recognizes our newest anglers with its "First Fish" category. New anglers of any age can commemorate their first successful catch with a certificate from the Division.

For more experienced anglers the program recognizes trophy catches of 45 different freshwater and marine fish species in addition to Specialist, Master and Elite Angler categories. Help promote the excellent fishing opportunities that exist throughout the Garden State by submitting your qualifying catch!

The Leader Board identifies anglers with the current largest fish (weight or length) for both freshwater and saltwater. The list is updated regularly as new submissions/leaders are verified.

Beginning in 2018 submitting your application is easier than ever as applications and photo(s) can now be e-mailed! Anglers submitting qualifying catches will receive a certificate and qualifier patch. Photos of this year's winners will appear at the Division's booth at the Garden State Outdoor Show in January, 2019. Winners will also receive a certificate and Skillful Angler Winner patch.

The Skillful Angler Program has four divisions:

Adult - based on weightJunior (under 16) - based on weightCatch and Release - based on lengthFirst Fish - First fish ever caught, of any species of any size, by any angler regardless of age

In addition to individual species the program also recognizes anglers who catch several qualifying fish in three categories:

Trout Slam - catch one each of qualifying Rainbow, Brook and Brown trout within one calendar year

Bass Slam - catch one each of qualifying Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass within one calendar year

Panfish Slam - catch one each of qualifying Sunfish, Crappie and Yellow Perch within one calendar year

SALTWATER SLAMS

Inshore Slam I - catch one each of a qualifying Striped Bass, Bluefish and Fluke within one calendar year

Inshore Slam II - catch one each of a qualifying Black Sea Bass, Tautog and Weakfish within one calendar year

Offshore Pelagics Slam - catch one each of a qualifying Bluefin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna and Dolphin within one calendar year

Marlin Slam - catch one each of a qualifying White and Blue Marlin within one calendar year

Special recognition isn't the only program benefit. When anglers submit their entries, data of interest to Fish and Wildlife's biologists (such as the fish's weight, length, girth and the date, time and catch location) becomes available which may reveal insights about the waterbody from where the fish was hooked or as an indicator of the condition of a particular fishery. Combined data from many anglers can create a meaningful freshwater fisheries data set.

Through the Skillful Angler Program, anglers statewide can commemorate their catch while supporting Fish and Wildlife's continuing fisheries monitoring efforts.

Minimum Size Requirements for Skillful Angler Award:

Saltwater Species

Species

Adult
Weight (lbs)

Junior
Weight (lbs/oz)

Catch and Release (inches)

Black Sea Bass

4

3

20"

Striped Bass

40

36

42"

Black Drum

70

63

46"

Bluefish

18

16

33"

Cod

30

27

42"

Dolphin

30

27

n/a

Flounder, Winter

2

1 lb 8 oz

16"

Fluke

8

7

27"

Kingfish

1

8 oz

13"

Mako Shark

250

225

n/a

Blue Marlin

400

360

n/a

White Marlin

60

54

n/a

Pollock

25

22 lbs 8 oz

41"

Tautog

8

7

22"

Albacore Tuna

50

45

n/a

Big Eye Tuna

200

180

n/a

Bluefin Tuna

500

450

n/a

Yellowfin Tuna

120

108

n/a

Tuna (other)

250

225

n/a

Weakfish

10

9

30"

Freshwater Species

Species

Adult
Weight (lbs/oz)

Junior
Weight (lbs/oz)

Catch and
Release (inches)

Largemouth Bass

6

4

21"

Smallmouth Bass

4

3

19"

Striped Bass Hybrid

8

6

24"

Striped Bass

30

25

40"

Bowfin

6

4

25"

Bullhead

2

1 lb 8 oz

14"

Carp

25

20

35"

Channel Catfish

10

8

29"

Crappie

2

1 lb 8 oz

14"

Muskellunge

20

15

45"

Tiger Muskie

15

10

42"

White Perch

1 lb 8 oz

1 lb 4oz

14"

Yellow Perch

1 lb 8 oz

1

13"

Chain Pickerel

4

3

24"

Northern Pike

10

8

34"

American Shad

7

5

24"

Brook Trout

3

2

19"

Brown Trout

8

5

25"

Lake Trout

12

8

31"

Rainbow Trout

5

3 lbs 8 oz

23"

Salmon, Atlantic Landlocked

4

3

20"

Sunfish

1

12 oz

9"

Walleye

6

4 lbs 8 oz

24"

Submitting an Entry

Fill out application completely
For Adult/Junior Divisions (based on weight) application MUST be signed by the person who weighed the fish (see below).

ONE clear photo of the fish caught alongside a ruler providing clear identification and measurements. Please be sure ruler measurements are clearly visible in the photo.

Additional high-resolution photos with the angler are more than welcome and appreciated. Photos become the property of the NJDFW and may be used for promotional purposes.

*For Adult/Junior Divisions, fish must be weighed and measured by license agents, tackle shops, local grocery store or Division biologists. Applications must be signed by the person who weighed the fish and the name of the tackle shop, marina, boat or business identified.

Incomplete applications or species that cannot be identified will not be considered for an award. The Division reserves the right to investigate the fish identification, angling method and accuracy of measurement and weight. It also reserves the right to reject any application. All applications must be submitted within 30 days of catching the fish.

Past Skillful Angler Awards Winners:
The Skillful Angler Program was introduced in 1983 to supplement the NJ State Record Fish Program. In the years since it has granted Skillful Angler status to nearly 4,000 anglers. Click on any year below to see that year's top entries.